The United States has proposed a plan to de-escalate the conflict in Lebanon, a US official told Al Jazeera. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the proposal privately with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
According to the US official, the 'road map' requires Hezbollah to cease all attacks on Israel; in return, Israel would not escalate further in the Lebanese capital, Beirut. The goal is to create a favorable environment for gradual de-escalation and a complete cessation of hostilities.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered his military to strike targets in the southern suburbs of Beirut, considered a Hezbollah stronghold. In a video statement after Israeli forces captured the Beaufort Castle north of the Litani River, Netanyahu called it a 'strong shift' in the campaign against Hezbollah.
The US official blamed Hezbollah for the current cycle of conflict, accusing the group of following Iran’s directives without regard for Lebanon’s interests. Iran, the official said, was prolonging the conflict to play a mediating role.
'The fastest way to protect civilians and de-escalate is for Hezbollah to cease fire immediately,' the US official said, adding that Washington does not expect Israel to endure continuous attacks on its civilians.
The conflict between Hezbollah and Israel escalated on March 2. A ceasefire agreement that began on April 17 was never honored; both sides accuse each other of violations. According to Al Jazeera’s tally, on Sunday alone, Israeli forces launched more than 36 attacks across southern Lebanon, killing at least 12 people and wounding 35.
According to the latest figures from Lebanon’s Health Ministry, more than 3,412 people have been killed and 10,269 wounded in Israeli attacks since March 2. Over one million people have been displaced across Lebanon.
The international community has strongly condemned Israel’s escalation in Lebanon. French President Emmanuel Macron said 'nothing justifies' the action. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper called on Israel to halt military operations, stating that the escalation had 'eroded diplomatic space.' Qatar condemned the attacks and the expansion of the ground campaign in southern Lebanon, calling it a violation of international law. Egypt expressed solidarity with Lebanon and called for Israel to withdraw from all Lebanese territory.
